Our mouth is used to eat, drink, smile, speak, laugh and kiss. But when cancer affects our mouths, it does more than take away these everyday functions. It takes lives. In fact, close to 45,750 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,650 deaths, killing roughly 1 […]

An oral cancer diagnosis can come as tragic news for you and your family. But it is important to remember that the doctors you will be working with are experts at controlling the spread of cancer. Once diagnosed, you will have many decisions to make. Since you will need to make these decisions while you […]

Visiting your dentist twice a year does more than keep your teeth in tip-top shape. Once a year, you should ask your dentist to give you an oral cancer screening. This screening is vital to diagnosing cancer in the early stages, when survival rates are highest. Oral cancer screenings are routine for your dentist. They […]

Risk factors can come in many forms. Some are choices we make and others are dynamics we can’t control. In order to reduce your chance of developing oral cancer, make yourself aware of all the risk factors and understand how they relate to your lifestyle. Use of tobacco products. According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, […]

Oral cancer was catapulted to the forefront of conversations in 2010 with the announcement that actor and producer Michael Douglas was battling this disease. Four years after Michael Douglas’ diagnosis, oral cancer isn’t as widely discussed in the media or Hollywood but the facts remain the same. In 2014, more than 37,000 people in the […]

Dating back to the Safavid dynasty, hookah smoking has been a staple in Middle Eastern culture for over 500 years. In recent decades, hookah smoking has become more popular in the US, particularly among young adults. Flavored tobacco, hookah lounges and the belief that smoking out of the traditional Mediterranean water pipe is less damaging […]

Human papillomavirus (HPV), commonly known as the virus that causes genital warts and cervical cancer, is increasingly being recognized as a cause of infections in the throat, tongue and tonsils. In fact, the same types of HPV that infect the genital areas can infect the mouth and throat. What is Oral or Tonsillar HPV? HPV […]

If you grew up watching major-league baseball, you probably asked the question, “Why is their spit brown?” Famous baseball players made smokeless tobacco mainstream, as the substance increased saliva production in a dusty environment and aided in moistening mitts or preparing spitballs. According to an article in Slate Magazine, baseball players’ use of chewing tobacco […]

In an effort to raise awareness, increase education and unite the community, walkers of all ages will gather at Scottsdale’s Eldorado Park on Saturday, April 6 for the Arizona Oral Cancer 5k Walk. As a sponsor of the event with a vested interest in Arizonan’s oral health, the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation is encouraging […]

Did you know that cancers of the mouth and throat account for about three percent of all cancers in the United States? Did you also know that most oral cancers are largely preventable? However, there are certain risk factors that affect the likelihood of developing the disease, and some may surprise you. The use of […]